Team Building in Tough Times

Everyday we read of another round of layoffs or downsizing in companies around the country. Many workers have seen friends and capable co-workers disappear from their office or warehouse. The scene is being repeated all over the place. "Hey, that guy that I worked next to for 5, 12, 27 years. Where is he today? Gone? Moved? Retired? Oh! Who's going to pick up his load?......Oh."

The loss of friends, increased workload, insecurity and combining of departments has created a great deal of stress and trepidation in businesses everywhere. No one likes those feelings. Most employers don't want that for their people. Yet, in these times, it seems to be the norm for employees to be worried regarding any move being made by their company. The moves don't even have to be real, simply expected or perceived. So what can help? Now is not a time to sit back while everyone starts cannibalizing in the office as they jockey for position or maybe as employees start looking for greener pastures. Now is the time to assure your team that you value them as people and employees. Show them that through hard times, you should still take care of one another and that staying on through the storm will help the team to be stronger. That starts at the top.

If you are a decision maker in your company, you have tough choices to make when it comes to surviving cuts now and still investing in your people for the near and long-term future. Everyone knows you must keep your people happy and motivated to retain them and to be a strong team. Here are three simple suggestions to help. The three will be detailed in separate articles, but listed here you get the general idea.

1. Draw your people closer together - Don't give up on team-building. Merged groups, departments or transferred individuals need to build rapport and trust with their new co-workers. Downsized offices need positive experiences together. Your people need help understanding and 'unpacking' the new dynamics in their workplace. The temptation is to cut team building at the time when your people need it the most. A team-building event might mean a whole lot more coming from an outsider as employees might be cynical when it comes to the encouragement from management. You, as management, probably need the relief and positive lift too. 2. Develop the individuals - Strengthen your office/department by making your people better. Send them to training. Give opportunities to hone skills. Trust them and invest time with them on projects. They will feel more secure, valued and motivated. You will have a more productive, valuable and stable employee. You will attract valuable potential employees. 3. Be nice - When the going gets tough, people get mean! Defensiveness. Self-preservation. Frustration. Pressure. Departure of friends. Insecurity. Pay cuts. These are enough to put most anyone on edge. Stress is a great excuse to justify bad behavior. Don't fall into that. Put your people at ease by treating them well. That whole Golden Rule thing (do unto others as you would have them do unto you) is most needed in tough times. It is easy to be 'nice' and get along when things are all rosy. It's extraordinary to stay steady and personally put people at ease by being nice when you are being squeezed. By setting the tone as one who cares about them as more than simply an employee, you will help your people not to panic or live in constant tension in the workplace. These are tough times in business. The strong will survive. Make your people strong and your strength will shine. Circle the wagons drawing your people together. Sharpen your people as you develop the individuals. Set the positive tone as you have shown that you can be nice in tough times. Lead through this recession and you will be the one people will follow for a long time.

Steve Sweeney Senior Instructor Magnovo LLC http://www.magnovo.com

About the Author

Steve Sweeney has spent nearly twenty years working with high school and middle school students and their families. His extensive experience in conflict resolution, character development and motivating individuals to live extraordinary lives is unmatched. Steve has prepared and presented thousands of keynote speeches for diverse audiences. He is engaging, funny and personal in every environment. Leadership Training